I Support a Ban on Game Bird Battery Cages

I met with Animal Aid in Parliament to discuss the issue of battery cages for game birds. They raised many important points as to the faults of current regulation. They have made the important point that ‘All cages breach the Code of Practice, which says the birds must have: Appropriate space and facilities to ensure avoidance of stress and to allow the exhibition of normal behaviour patterns. Obviously, cages mean they cannot nest, roam, scratch, forage, wing-flap, dustbathe, thermoregulate, roost, evade predators and fly.’ Animal Aid have run investigations where they found many possible breaches under the Animal Welfare Act. They told me how difficult, and frustrating the experience of reporting issues to the authorities is. These findings are distressing, and I support their calls for battery cages for game birds to be banned.